Tue | 12.08.2020 |
Even the COVID-19 pandemic could not stop the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) from spreading the joy of the Christmas season.
With the theme, “Tuloy and Pasko”, PAGCOR organized a five-day gift-giving activity that will benefit over 9,000 individuals from the vulnerable sectors of society.
During the program’s kick-off on December 7, the state-run gaming agency reached out to 2,000 elderlies from the cities of Parañaque and Pasay. The beneficiaries received gift packs and other grocery items.
Barangay Moonwalk Federation President Milagros Rodriguez of Parañaque City’s Office for Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) expressed her gratitude to PAGCOR for remembering the elderly of Parañaque City.
“More than the gift packs and the regular donations that we receive from PAGCOR, it is the love that comes with it that makes the act of giving more meaningful to us,”said Rodriguez, who is also a Barangay Kagawad.
She added that apart from the Christmas gifts, their community received aid from PAGCOR at the height of the strict quarantine measures early this year.
Meanwhile, PAGCOR Chairman Andrea Domingo cited that the corporation’s annual gift-giving event has always been one of the corporation’s ways of reaching out to the marginalized sectors of the community during the Christmas season.
“We are happy that despite the pandemic and the challenges it brought upon the gaming industry, we are still able to contribute and spread joy to those who need our help the most. Tuloy and Pasko sa kabila ng mga pagsubok na ating kinakaharap,” Domingo said.
She added that since the real essence of Christmas is sharing, the agency will strive to share love and compassion to those in need.
On the second day of the traditional event, PAGCOR imparted gift packs to 1,175 senior citizens from the city of Manila.
“Nagpapasalamat kami, on behalf ng mga senior citizen ng Maynila, sa ginawang sagot ng PAGCOR na “Tuloy ang Pasko” para sa kanila,”said OSCA Head of the City of Manila Efren Manangan.
Aside from the elderlies of Parañaque, Pasay and Manila cities, PAGCOR will also reach out to the senior citizens of Pateros and Mandaluyong (December 9); informal settlers (December 10) and farmers in San Miguel, Bulacan (December 11).
PAGCOR’s Casino Filipino branches in Angeles, Olongapo and Tagaytay are also set to distribute noche buena gift packs to selected senior citizens in their respective host-cities.